KOTA BHARU: After 37 years of waiting, the people of Kelantan will finally see a monarch from their state, Sultan Muhammad V, reign as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The last monarch from Kelantan to be given the honour was Sultan Muhammad V's grandfather, the late Sultan Yahya Petra ibni Sultan Ibrahim who served as the 6th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1975 to 1979.
Effective today, Sultan Muhammad V succeeds Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah of Kedah for a five-year term.
Sultan Muhammad V is the appellation for Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra who ascended the throne as the 29th Sultan of Kelantan on 13 Sept, 2010. He was first installed as the Tengku Mahkota Kelantan on 6 Oct, 1985.
THE ELDEST OF FOUR
Sultan Muhammad V, 47, is the eldest of the four siblings of Sultan Ismail Petra and Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid.
His three younger siblings are Tengku Mahkota Kelantan Tengku Dr Muhammad Faiz Petra, 42, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, 38, and Tengku Amalin A'ishah Putri, 32.
His majesty is a ruler with a big heart and addresses himself with humility as 'ambo' when he greets the people. He is a ruler who is truly concerned with the welfare of his people.
Hence, its not surprising to see his majesty going to the ground to meet the people right up to the interiors including the Orang Asli in the remote parts of Gua Musang and Jeli.
He loves to don the 'jubah' (a long gown) or the 'Baju Melayu' that is also known as 'baju gumbang' in the state along with the skullcap and sarong when he meets his subject.
Sultan Muhammad V had served as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong since 12 Dec 2011. Being a people centric monarch, the sultan has his hands full with social work.
As the patron of the Yayasan Sultan Kelantan, he helps the unfortunate segment of the society like the orphans, poor and destitute and the disabled. The foundation also provides education assistance for his subjects.
His majesty is the one who envisioned the long distance walk Program Walkathon D'Raja Kelantan to bring the society closer to the royal institution.
Through the walkathon, thousands of people from all age groups and background have the opportunity to walk with Sultan Muhammad V and other members of the royal household.
In 2011, with 21,111 participants, the 10 km walk around Kota Bharu made its way into the Malaysia Book Of Records as the walkathon with the highest number of participants.
The latest walkathon on 28 Oct, held at night for the first time, also witnessed around 21,000 participants.
Organised by the Pertubuhan Kerabat D'Raja Kelantan Al-Muhammadi, the walkathon also aims to encourage a healthy lifestyle apart from attracting visitors to Kelantan.
THE MONARCH'S ROLE IN SPIRITUALITY
Sultan Muhammad V is seen by the people as a devout Muslim and a man who has undergone rigorous religious education.
The monarch himself works hard to inculcate spiritual values in the society through a number of progammes including the 'Qiam With Me' sessions held during each Ramadan since 2011.
The "Qiam With Me" programme is held at 10 pm after the Isyak and Tarawih, followed by religious talk, Qiamullail and the sahur (meal before fast begins) and the Subuh (dawn) congregation prayer with the sultan.
According to Kelantan's Grand Imam of the Council of the Religion of Islam and Malay Custom (Maik), Muhammad Hana Pizi Abdullah, Sultan Muhammad V takes seriously the affairs of mosques and Islam.
"We, the mosque goers are close to his majesty whose heart is with the mosque and Islam. It is a well known fact that the sultan spends considerable time in the mosques and religious functions hence it's easy for the people to get close to his majesty," he said.
"The Tuanku had headed the 'solat hajat' (prayers invoking god's help or guidance) at Stadium Sultan Muhammad Ke-IV here along with thousands of ummah some years back," he said.
HOBBY AND EDUCATION
Sultan Muhammad V was born on 6 Oct, 1969 and attended pre-school at Tadika Fatima Convent, Ko
ta Bharu (1974-1975) before going to Sekolah Sultan Ismail I here (1976-1981).
In 1983, he continued his secondary schooling at Alice Smith International School in Kuala Lumpur before going to Oakham School in Rutland, England where he was until 1989.
He took up diplomatic studies at St.Cross College, Oxford and Islamic Studies at Oxford Centre (1989-1991). He continued further with diplomatic studies and business administration at Huron University College, London.
His majesty delved deeper into diplomatic relations at Deutsche Stiftung Internationale Entwicklung, Berlin, and took up European Business Administration at European Business School London.
His majesty also participates actively in organisations and activities related to the armed forces and security. He is the Colonel In Chief of the Royal Artilery Regiment. He was also once the Commander of the 506 Territorial Army with the rank of Brigadier General.
Sultan Muhammad V, who is also the Chancellor of the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), loves extreme sports and often goes on four wheel drive expeditions and horse riding.
Apart from that, his majesty also loves playing golf apart from go-kart, shooting, archery, badminton, bowling and football.
His majesty also keeps horses, cats, chicken and birds as pets.
-- BERNAMA